pleased to meet you

[sailmods]

CW: murder

[it is the morning of the 17th when the usual morning announcement is replaced with the sort of tentative, nervous tone that Friday takes on immediately before something insane happens.]

Good morning, passengers! It's, um... Well, I sure hope everyone had an interesting time on their shore excursion! The Captain sure did! In fact, he had such a good time, he's asked me to inform you all that, tonight, he's going to be hosting his usual captain's formal in the main dining room, but with a twist! This time, it's going to be a, um... victory party! For Natsuno! Because he won! [small laugh] And also to celebrate the opening of a new shop on the Promenade! Gosh, and that really is something to celebrate; I haven't seen that happen since he--

[LOUD STATIC NOISES]

-- Yes, well! The dress code will be cruise formal; everyone can find a new set of clothes in their cabin to celebrate the occasion! I-- Oh, right, we'll see you all tonight! 8PM sharp!

[the connection cuts off. today, for the first time that anyone can remember, Friday can't be found in the atrium. or any other room. smoke 'em if you got 'em.

at 8PM sharp, the door to the dining room swings open. it is mostly empty: the only tables left are a dozen or so under the main chandelier. there are name cards at each table setting, written in Friday's neat script; the seatings seem mostly random, except for everyone who was on the island, who will find themselves at a table with their killer and/or victim(s). except Natsuno, of course, whose name is displayed proudly at the head table, next to an unnamed place. once they are inside, all of them find themselves under the same sort of compulsion that they felt during the muster drill, and their legs will stop working until they have gone to their assigned seats.

Friday enters the room first, dressed up nicely, but with hunched shoulders and her hands clasped firmly in front of her. the door shuts behind her. she says nothing, and acknowledges no one, not even Natsuno, as she takes her spot behind the chair.

a few fashionable minutes pass. it starts as smoke pouring out from under the door, moving towards the table as it slowly solidifies into the form of... a rather normal-looking man. he sits, cross-legged, in the chair that Friday pulls out for him. he looks over the assembled crowd, visibly considering something... there is a flash of silver in the light, and the knife he'd had in his sleeve is across Friday's throat quicker than she can react, and she falls bonelessly to the ground, a spray of arterial blood across the table setting.]

There, perfect.

[he looks out at them again. and he smiles. the knife is placed back in his sleeve, and he holds his hands out, palms up.]

Well. Here's your chance. [he waves a hand lazily, and the compulsion keeping them seated fades like pins and needles.] Try not to embarrass yourselves.

Comments

[lightconductor]

"More or less."

It's a simple answer for a complicated question. It's easier to leave a lot unsaid, unexamined, for the simple reason that he hasn't any idea how to even begin that conversation. It wasn't exactly normal circumstances, and normal rules of behaviour can't be expected to apply.

"The first day or two were... difficult. I'm better, now, I believe. What of yourself? How are you?"

A genuine question.

[decohere]

She nods along sympathetically, her own last few days a struggle to get through. That's the unfortunate thing about that question though, having it turned around on her. It's fair, she anticipated it, but she doesn't have much of an answer. "I'm alive...?" Ava answers neutrally. Not exactly sure if that's a good thing or not, considering.

That's a rather uncomfortable knowledge. That most anyone paying attention knows what she did. She sighs. "It was... rude," and that really isn't the right word, doesn't at all carry the right weight. "What I did to you."

[lightconductor]

"It was," Watson says, his tone light as he can manage, "but I understand why you did it. Under the circumstances..."

Well. He never would have left Ava alone had it been his choice. Apparently that's just a thing that happens to him, people trying to leave him behind when they're in danger. "I forgive you," he says. "Though I'd prefer we avoid it happening again."

So much as they have control over these things, anyway.

[decohere]

"I thought I was sparing you from seeing worse," she tells him apologetically. "I didn't realize instead it was for everyone to witness." There's a hint of resigned bitterness to her tone.

She swallows roughly at the implication of again. And his forgiveness that she certainly hasn't done anything to earn. Ava looks away. "Which part are we avoiding?"

[lightconductor]

"The part where you attempt to spare me," Watson says. He looks over at her, his expression conflicted. "I would rather face that sort of thing with both my eyes open than to have it hidden from me."

That's how things have always been for him. Maybe it's not always the easiest route, but he can't imagine doing anything else. "I stand by my friends when they need it."

cw suicide mention

[decohere]

"I wanted the dignity of-" Ava cuts herself short. This entire situation is a mess already, entirely the wrong place for this discussion and yet honestly... There's no worse either of them can make it. Might as well be here.

"That's because you're a good person," she's never had any such delusions about herself. "What would you have wanted? Me to drag you down with?"

[lightconductor]

He knows. He understands.

"I wanted to help," Watson says. "Even if... well. No one likes to say it, but doctors know a good many ways to ease pain, some more acceptable than others, even if the situation is terminal. If it came to that."

His expression isn't exactly a smile, more a grimace.

"And I'm no stranger to battlefields."

[decohere]

"Well," she says simply, considering. "Next time I need to be put out of my misery, I'll give you the honor." Because that's what he's offering, right? It's sweet, she supposes.

And if death isn't even a permanent thing here, it's not like either of them have to feel all that guilty over it.

She reaches out to awkwardly pat his arm. "But I am sorry. I think I've made it clear by now that I'm unreliable. I'm not sure how to make that up to you, even if you have already forgiven me." She feels like she's losing him as a friend. Deliberately through her actions. But she doesn't exactly like it. She's good at solving puzzles, but not this one.

[lightconductor]

"And I'd trust you to do the same for me." He winces a little, at her words rather than the touch on his arm. It's... an unpleasant topic, after all. And it's not exactly the sort of thing he feels good about doing. But also, given the circumstances...

"I am used to unreliable people," Watson says. "I don't hold it against them. And... as much as it pains me, I do understand why you did what you did. I might have done the same in your place, honestly. It is... terrible, to be seen that way."

He pauses a moment, then adds, "I am glad we are at least able to have this conversation at all."

[decohere]

"I would," she promises, knows the full weight of it. That maybe others might not approve of such an arrangement, but that's really why she's not asking anyone else. That those overly eager to take on such a request would be less delicate in the handling.

She breathes out. "Not sure I'd have done anything differently, knowing we had an audience." What a joke that turned out to be. "You deserve my honesty, at least. I'm not sure where to go from here," she admits. "It's not that I particularly enjoy avoiding you."

[lightconductor]

The audience would have made such an arrangement difficult, requiring all sorts of explanations after the fact. It's definitely the sort of arrangement that Watson wouldn't have offered to just anyone.

"I'd rather not avoid you either," Watson says, and sighs. "Miss Ava, I do genuinely enjoy your company. I find you to be a fascinating person, and you are a fellow soldier of sorts. I really would like to be able to call you an ally at the very least, and ideally a friend. I suspect friendships will be important, going forward."

[decohere]

"Yes, that's the common sentiment. Friendship. But John..." Ava comes just a bit closer, to brush fingertips down the side of his face. Regretful, because he does seem the sort to bring out the best in others.

"I don't know how to be anyone's friend. It feels like people want things from me that I'm incapable of giving. And it hurts, to keep disappointing. I like you and I want better for you."

[lightconductor]

"Ava."

He drops the "miss," because if she's gone with his first name then apparently that's the sort of conversation they're having, and lays his hand over hers, squeezing gently. "You haven't disappointed me at all. I don't know what it is you think I want from you that you can't give me. I ask your company and conversation from time to time. Your trust would be nice, but these things come slower, I know."

Watson sighs. "Did you think that because of our disagreement on the island I would never want to speak to you again? Honestly, that never crossed my mind."

[decohere]

"I didn't think there would be an again, and now there is, and that's the part I didn't factor for."

She smiles despite herself. "You're free to track me down. Under more favorable circumstances. Though this whole thing is..." Ava glances over. "A bit entertaining."

[lightconductor]

"That's fair," Watson says with a bit of a chuckle. "I had a suspicion it might not be the end of us, since I'd had some earlier evidence, but... well, one hardly likes to test a theory like that."

He gives a sigh, somewhat relieved. "But I will look forward to seeing you around."

[decohere]

"More people have disappeared, than have come back," Ava points out, but she really only knows of Clarke firsthand. "I wasn't going to make any assumptions about me being worth any sort of... effort." She shrugs.

"You might not recognize me, next time you see me. I'll have eaten 20 pounds of lobster." She pats her stomach.

[lightconductor]

"Many have disappeared without, apparently, dying," he counters, "but you raise a fair point."

He laughs, though, good-natured. "It is rather good. Do you have more feasting to get to, then? I won't keep you, if so."

[decohere]

"We don't know what happened to them, before they disappeared. Do we?" Ava wonders. It's what's been bothering her. Can't exactly avoid mistakes if you don't know what they are.

But there are plenty of mistakes to watch play out now. She smiles. "Honestly, I just needed some revenge on the arthropods." They're not ants, but... close enough.